Brett Favre vs. Dolphins front seven The Dolphins overwhelmed Bills quarterback Trent Edwards last week, sacking him three times, hitting him eight more times and holding him to 132 yards. For the Dolphins to have any chance of slowing down Favre, Cam Wake, Karlos Dansby, Kendall Langford and Koa Misi are going to have to batter Favre they way New Orleans did in last January’s NFC Championship Game. The Dolphins can’t afford to stack the box or blitz too often with Favre throwing the football, so the front four must get consistent pressure, though it won’t be easy facing a line anchored by perennial Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson.

Minnesota DE Jared Allen vs. Miami OT Jake Long: If you like watching the trenches, it doesn’t get much better in the NFL than Allen, a three-time Pro Bowler who has 44.5 sacks over the past three seasons, against Long, who has earned a Pro Bowl berth in each of his two seasons. In general, the battle between the Dolphins’ offensive line and Vikings’ defensive line will be fierce, with tough-guy Richie Incognito, Joe Berger and John Jerry taking on the infamous Williams Wall, defensive tackles Pat and Kevin.

Vikings WR Greg Camarillo vs. Dolphins CB Benny Sapp Not only will these two players, traded for each other straight-up four weeks ago, likely face each other on the field, with Sapp playing nickel corner and Camarillo lining up in the slot. But the real competition will come in the game plan — which player gave his new coaching staff better inside information on the opponent?

Dolphins WRs Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess vs. Vikings CBs Antoine Winfield and Asher Allen: Marshall and Bess kept the Bills plenty busy last Sunday, combining for 14 catches for 104 yards in the Dolphins’ victory. The Vikings’ one weakness is its secondary, with Winfield a step slower at 33 and Allen a bit raw in just his second NFL season. Expect Henne to look for Marshall and Bess consistently over the middle to move the chains and grind the clock.

Dolphins ILB Bobby Carpenter vs. Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe: With Sidney Rice hurt, Shiancoe has quickly emerged as Favre’s favorite target, leading the Vikings with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss to New Orleans. Carpenter, who arrived in Miami just a week before the season-opener, has quickly been installed as the team’s nickel linebacker and played 14 snaps last week, charged mostly with covering the opposing tight end. His ability to cover Shiancoe on Sunday will be crucial for stopping the Vikings’ offense.

Quick Slants

— Though Harvin is listed as questionable on the injury report, he told Minneapolis media on Friday that he plans to play.

— Backup defensive lineman Tony McDaniel will replace Odrick, who is likely out 2-4 weeks, in the starting lineup, while Paul Soliai likely will see more playing time.

— In the last four years, the Vikings have ranked No. 1, 1, 1 and 2 in the NFL in total rushing defense. They became the first team since the AFL-NFL merger to lead the league in rushing defense for three years in a row.

— Dolphins receivers had five more drops last week against Buffalo – two each by Marshall and Brian Hartline and one by Marlon Moore. Hartline could see his playing time diminish unless he starts to show more consistency, Sparano said.

— Favre’s NFL record consecutive game streak currently stands at 310 games, including playoffs.

— Miami has not started a season 2-0 since 2002, and has not won two consecutive road games to open a season since 1977.

— Vikings offensive tackle Phil Loadholt was fined $10,000 by the NFL this week for two unnecessary roughness fouls he committed against New Orleans.

— If Cook and Griffin cannot play, the Vikings will have just three active cornerbacks Sunday for the second straight game.

— Vikings are choosing between Bernard Berrian and Camarillo for punt returns on Sunday.